In South Florida, the entrepreneurial spirit is on the rise, and local leaders are emphasizing the need for nurturing environments where startups can flourish. Terri-Ann Brown, the Director of Miami Tech Works, addressed a gathering at The LAB Miami, highlighting the significance of supporting local entrepreneurs and creating a vibrant tech community.
Brown’s remarks came during the 12th meeting of the Miami Tech Talent Coalition, which aims to bridge the gap between emerging local talent from universities and bootcamps and job opportunities within the tech industry. The goal is clear: rather than losing homegrown talent to tech hubs on the West Coast or in New York, Miami seeks to cultivate its own workforce.
“We’re actually building a town in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York. We need to keep the town here in Miami,” remarked Ayal Stern, co-founder of The LAB Miami. The initiative aims to retain graduates by connecting them with the local job market, thereby fostering a stronger tech ecosystem in Miami.
Miami Tech Works has made considerable strides since it started with a $10 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. In the past two years, over 2,000 participants have enrolled in tech-aligned training programs, resulting in 415 individuals placed in promising tech roles across diverse fields, including business and logistics.
Despite these successes, challenges remain. The local tech landscape comprises mainly small businesses, which often lack adequate processes for recruiting and training tech talent. The Coalition is committed to assisting these businesses by providing resources for internships, apprenticeships, and structured training programs tailored to entry-level positions.
“One of our key focuses is to get as many of our participants that have gone through technology training programs hands-on, relevant work-based learning opportunities,” Brown stated. Miami Tech Works collaborates with various educational institutions, including Miami Dade College and Florida International University, to create favorable conditions for emerging talent to thrive.
Recently, a cohort funded by Miami Tech Works completed a program in AI and digital marketing organized by Creative Hub. All participants finished successfully and reported positive outcomes, showing immediate application of their skills in real-world scenarios.
Additionally, Miami Tech Works is poised to launch the Miami Tech Works EPIC Challenge in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. This five-week innovation sprint aims to connect local employers with student teams to address real business challenges, signaling an active role for students in the local tech ecosystem.
Starting in the fall, the Coalition will also introduce a series of employer workshops focusing on emerging technologies and upskilling strategies for businesses of all sizes. These initiatives exemplify the Coalition’s commitment to fostering collaboration between employers and jobseekers.
As the meeting progressed, participants addressed pressing issues in the local job market, particularly concerning entry-level talent and the growing influence of AI. While there are concerns that AI may reduce the number of entry-level positions, educational institutions are adapting to ensure that graduates are well-equipped for modern job requirements.
The Coalition’s Gap Report highlights the need to retain local talent while addressing the challenges faced by small businesses in hiring and training tech talent. Strategies being pursued include internships and work projects designed to create clear pathways to employment in the tech sector.
At the recent meeting, several small business leaders shared insights about their organizations. Notable introductions included Nelly Ortiz of SPARK Founders and Shammae Shackleford of Shammae Photography, a recent Creative Hub graduate. Their presentations underscored the entrepreneurial diversity within the Miami Tech community.
The Coalition organized working group discussions afterward, with three groups focused on Emerging Tech Talent, Small Business Capacity, and the Tech Skills Gap collaborating for two years. A new working group, the Talent Pipeline Management Work Group, has emerged this year, aligning local employers to develop effective talent management strategies using a model supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
In a significant step for workforce development, the Coalition held the first in-person gathering for its Talent Pipeline Management Academy, where local employers came together to explore data-driven strategies for talent development.
The Emerging Talent Work Group, co-chaired by Ken Finneran from eMed, has embarked on a project to compile vital information about local universities and training partners, focusing on key talent programs. Discussions about creating a platform for emerging talent to showcase their skills and connect with employers are underway.
Members emphasized enhancing accessibility for both job seekers and businesses, proposing a clearinghouse concept where emerging talents could easily find internship opportunities. These dialogues are particularly timely amidst a challenging employment landscape exacerbated by recent economic fluctuations and advancements in AI, which have altered the types of tasks performed by entry-level positions.
The Tech Skills Gap Work Group discussed the disconnect between employer expectations and the quality of graduates coming from local academic programs. They identified an opportunity for the Coalition to bridge this gap by building strong partnerships with educational institutions that can influence curriculum to better align with the needs of the industry.
Yaimara Roman Gonzalez, Grant Project Manager for Miami Tech Works, shared that the Small Business Capacity Work Group welcomed ten new employers, demonstrating a growing interest in building connections within the Miami Tech ecosystem. The upcoming EPIC program, which launches on June 20, has garnered significant enthusiasm among participants, showing a commitment to collaboration for practical solutions.
For employers in South Florida seeking to engage with tech talent, there is still an opportunity to join the Miami Tech Talent Coalition. With continued efforts to strengthen the local tech ecosystem, the Coalition’s next meeting is set for early September, marking a pivotal moment to further foster innovation and collaboration.
In reflecting upon the evening, Brown also introduced Miami Tech Works’ latest promotional video, showcasing the Coalition’s vision and achievements.
The collective momentum from the meeting demonstrates a robust community effort focused on not just retaining local talent but empowering emerging entrepreneurs and fostering sustainable growth in the tech sector.
For more information and updates on the initiatives by Miami Tech Works and the Tech Talent Coalition, follow Refresh Miami, a proud partner in these efforts.
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